Wednesday, August 31, 2011

One of my first blog entries for this blog was Nkombo Ya Yo Nini. As I delved into the collection of Congolese music I had acquired I noticed that many songs I loved were titled simply by a woman's name. The songs almost always had great stories at their center and expressed a lot of emotion ranging from sheer happiness to melancholy. Congolese music is very expressive by nature but something about those songs dedicated to a particular individual that seem that much more emotional.

Anyway just yesterday a Tambour d'Afrique follower left a comment under that post with a very nice mix of Congolese rumba attached. The mix was inspired by my blog post Nkombo Ya Yo Nini and shares the same name. Once I heard it I had to share it.
Thank you, Antony for sharing your wonderful mix with us! Check out his Mixcloud page where he posts under the name Lemonzorba

Monday, August 15, 2011

So we were www.tambourdafrique.com for a while until I lost the domain. I forgot to chose 'auto-pay' on my account and didn't pay for the domain when I thought I did. So it is lost unless I pay a handsome fee of $100...not happening lol. So please http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifallow
me to introduce to you

I assure you my account is now set to auto-pay and this domain will be around for much longer. I will be working on a new banner to put up soon. Thank you for your continued support. Stay tuned for more updates to the site periodically.

Friday, July 15, 2011

WE WILL AIR A NEW SHOW ON SATURDAY JULY 16TH. 2011. WE AR ASKING YOUR PATIENCE AS WE ARE PLANNING TO REPUBLISH THE SHOWS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR YOUR VIEWING. FOR YOUR PLEASURE I AM GOING TO LEAVE YOU WITH 5 VIDEOS.

TO MY MOM YVETTE F. ANGRAND: YOU GAVE BIRTH TO ME , YOU WHO SHOWED US THE WORLD AND RAISED US. I WILL LOOK TO THE HORIZON AT SUNSET FOR YOU TO WAVE TO ME AND I WILL FOLLOW YOUR GOOD ADVICES TO THE END. LOVE FOREVER. (Nyoka Longo, Nalali pongi, Zaiko Langa Langa)

After a long battle with an unspecified illness, renown vocalist and song writer formally of the legendary band Zaiko Langa Langa, Bimi Ombale passed away April 29th at a clinic in Kinshasa, DRC. This comes as very sad news to us here at Tambour d'Afrique where we are definitely Zaiko-centric.

Bimi, born Andre Bimi Ombale Mwana Wabi, had a beautiful voice and sang lead on many of Zaiko's greatest hits of the 70s and 80s such as "Ando", "Zena", "Lisapo"& my personal favorite "Sandra Lina". By the end of the 70s when many of Zaiko's staple artists such as Papa Wemba and Pepe Felly left the band Bimi remained with Jossart Nyoka Longo to front the group.

In 1988 along with Zaiko Langa Langa he released the album "Sentiment Bimi" which features a medley of some of his greatest hits up until that point.

His other solo albums include "Mbengele Zouk" (1989) and "Balle de Match" (1990).

Bitter disputes during the late 80s caused Zaiko Langa Langa to finally split into two camps Zaiko Langa Langa Nkola Mboka & Zaiko Famillia Dei of which he joined the latter. He wrote many songs for the band. He also sang with Clan Langa Langa at one point. He went on to release music though the 90s. He eventually became a gospel artist.

His contribution to Zaiko Langa Langa and the legacy of Congolese music will live on forever. May he rest in peace.

Tune in this evening for a new episode of Tambour d'Afrique at 10pm @ www.radiotriomphe.com and also catch the live ustream HERE

I've never heard of this young lady until today. I logged onto Youtube just now and found this video had been uploaded by user "soulsquad". I really like the fact that she plays the guitar. Her voice is nice and so is this song. I will be on the look out for more from Josey Priscille.

CONGOLESE RUMBA is related to the Rumba rhythm in Cuba which originated from Africa with the slave trade then that rhythm went back with Spanish/Latin American influence during colonial times in the 40's and 50's. Congolese artistes retook it and transformed it again in its current form. Many rhythms are related to it such as Salsa, Cha cha cha, Guarancha, Bolero (slows)....

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

I have been waiting patiently for the sequel to Werrason & Wenge Musica Maison Mere's hit album "Techno Malewa - Sans Cesse" since I heard this song a little bit over a year ago:

Today while logged onto Youtube a user by the name of BJONE posted another song from the sequel Techno Malewa Vol 2 called "Tresor Kandol". Fabrice & Deplik sing part of this song in a clip I posted a couple of weeks ago. Here is the full song:

The more excerpts and leaked songs that come out on youtube the more excited I get because I know that means the album is coming soon. More great music

Tambour d'Afrique is dedicated to carrying the torch for Congolese Music in an arena where not much information is available on the genre. Congolese music is one of the most influential musical genres in the world and we hope to continue to spread its influence to those who may otherwise never be exposed to the genres wealth of beauty and social commentary.